Uncomfortable Cambridge

18/08/2024

For some light Sunday reading, check out this two part series on our blog about Thora Silverthorne, who played a key role in forming the NHS among other huge accomplishments!

Link to the post here:

https://www.uncomfortableoxford.com/thora-silverthorne-fighter-healer-leader-part-i

Of all the local heroes who have passed through the city of Oxford, few saved as many lives as Thora Silverthorne. In this article we cover one of Oxford’s most influential medical practitioners, whose contributions have sadly been largely overlooked and unrecognised.

15/08/2024

🖊 New Blog Post 🖊

Check out Nadia's review of the NHS exhibition at the Migration Museum located in Lewisham. The exhibition entitled 'Heart of the Nation' explores how migrants built Britain's NHS, even in the face of systemic racism.

If you got a chance to visit the exhibition, or want to discuss more of what's in the blog post, check out some of our tours that run in Oxford and Cambridge.

In Cambridge, join us for a discussion of medical racism and biases in science at our Uncomfortable Science tour of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science, running this Friday (16/8) at 14.30!

In Oxford, book on our regular History of Medicine tour, which tackles contentious developments in medical research and practice down the centuries.

📍Link in bio to book and access the blog!

14/08/2024

🗽 Our statue wishlist for Cambridge🗽

Post Olympics, we have been thinking about which statues we would like to see up in Cambridge. In this post, check out what statues are on some of our guide's wishlist!

🥇Daisy Hopkins - resident of Cambridge, was arrested at just the age of 17 and sent to the ‘spinning house’. her case and arrest bought attention to the brutal conditions of the house and unjust arrests, leading to the dissolution of the practice in 1893.

🥇 Lotika Sarkar - feminist, attorney, and advocate from india. She attended Newnham and was the first Indian woman to graduate from the university. she later went to the University of Delhi and established the centre for women’s development studies.

🥇 Domestic Labourers' - the University of Cambridge employed a multitude of a multitude of women to keep the university of running. laundress green was named due to the fact that laundress’ for the colleges would clean students laundry at the site.

What do you think of these statue options? Who else would you like to see?

📸 Photos from Wikimedia commons, Getty images, and Capturing Cambridge

12/08/2024

📣 August tour's announcement 📣

☀ Come join us this month for some amazing views and even better discussions of lesser known history in Cambridge!

🔭 Fri. August 16th - Our Uncomfortable Science tour of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science is running this upcoming Friday! This tour offers visitors a unique perspective on the history of science, encouraging reflection on the societal and ethical dimensions that often remain hidden beneath scientific discourse.

🏛 Sat. Aug 17th and 24th - Our Original Uncomfortable Cambridge tour is running as always. or those interested in a different tour of Cambridge, the Uncomfortable Cambridge tour engages with historical memory and highlights diverse stories in the beautiful city centre. Our tours provide attendees with a good introduction to the city, while going beyond the traditional narratives. We highlight histories of race, gender, class, and disability, while raising uncomfortable questions about the lasting legacies of empire.​

📍Link in Bio to book!

01/08/2024

During the Olympic opening Ceremonies for 2024, 10 new statues of women, all important and connected to the history of France in some way, were unveiled.

One statue, which we're highlighting in this post, is of Paulette Nardal, born in Martinique. Nardal was a prominent intellectual, journalist and writer. She was heavily involved in the development of the negritude movement, which was a critical and radical literary movement that aimed to cultivate a 'Black consciousness' in the African diaspora.

Nardal was also the first Black student to attend the Sorbonne, where she studied English and became influenced by writers involved in the Harlem renaissance.

On our tours, we often talk about what it means to put up or take down statues or monuments. What does it mean to unveil these statues of women during the Olympic games?

What would it look like if Cambridge decided to put up 10 new statues of prominent women? Who would they be?

👇 Leave your replies in the comments below! We would love to hear from you! 👇

30/07/2024

📣📣 Weekly Tours announcement 📣📣

Come with us this weekend on our Original Tour, this Friday and Saturday. Catch us post work at 16.30 or Saturday afternoon at 14.30! ☀

🏛 Our original tour is best for those interested in a different tour of Cambridge, the Uncomfortable Cambridge tour engages with historical memory and highlights diverse stories in the beautiful city centre. 🏛

Link in bio to book!

23/07/2024

✨ Weekly Tours announcement ✨

📆 Friday the 26th -- check out our tour of Museum of the History of Science at 14.30! Uncover stories and people that get left out of the discussion of the history of science!

📆Saturday the 27th -- as always, our Original tour! The perfect introduction the city of Cambridge and our discussion based approach to tours. See some of the famous sites and talk about and unpack some uncomfortable histories that lie behind those sites

📍Link in bio to book!

16/07/2024

☀ Weekly Tours announcement ☀

We're looking forward to a bright and sunny weekend with our tour schedule!

📆 Hidden Histories, Friday July 19th @ 16:30 - Start the weekend a little early and join us on our Hidden Histories tour! Unearth the stories of those who are often left out of traditional narratives of Cambridge: Women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. This guided journey around the city will go back in time to highlight the many ways women have historically experienced the urban space and family life, uncover how masculinities have shaped and been shaped by the city landscape, and discuss q***r experiences in the city.

📆 Original Tour, Saturday July 20th @ 14:30: As always join us on our Original tour of Cambridge! For those interested in a different tour of Cambridge, the Uncomfortable Cambridge tour engages with historical memory and highlights diverse stories in the beautiful city centre.

We hope to see you on a tour this weekend!

📍Link in Bio to book!

09/07/2024

📣 Check out our Weekly Tours 📣

📆 Friday July 12 @ 14:30 - We're running our Academics and Empire tour! Join us on a tour exploring the historic connections between Cambridge and the British Empire. This tour outlines local entanglements with the transatlantic slave trade, and takes a close look at controversies surrounding museum collections and the development of certain academic disciplines over time.

📆 Saturday July 13th @ 14:30 - As always, our Original Uncomfortable Cambridge tour. The perfect introductory tour of Cambridge, covering its main sites and complex history.

📍Book through the link in our bio!

09/07/2024

Check out this amazing response to our Uncomfortable Science tour Whipple Museum of the History of Science done by a CSVPA student! 👇

02/07/2024

📣 Weekly tours announcement 📣

We're running two of our Original tours this week!

Our Original tour is the perfect introductory tour of Cambridge, covering its main sites and complex history.🏛

Join us Friday evening or Saturday afternoon for some sites and discussions!

📍Link in Bio!

24/06/2024

Weekly tours announcement!!

📣 This week is your LAST chance to celebrate Pride month by taking our Hidden Histories tour! 📣

📆 Friday, June 28th - Unearth the stories of those who are often left out of traditional narratives of Cambridge: Women, people of colour, and LGBTQIA+ individuals. This guided journey around the city will go back in time to highlight the many ways women have historically experienced the urban space and family life, uncover how masculinities have shaped and been shaped by the city landscape, and discuss q***r experiences in the city.

📆 Saturday, June 29th - The perfect introductory tour of Cambridge, this tour engages with local historical memory and highlights diverse stories in the beautiful city centre. Our tours provide newcomers with a good introduction to the city while going beyond the traditional narratives. We highlight histories of race, gender, class, and disability, while raising uncomfortable questions about the lasting legacies of empire.​

📍Link in bio to book!

20/06/2024

For Pride month, we are highlighting some of Cambridge's LGBTQ+ alum.

Alan Turing - Mathematician and former student and fellow at King's College

Ian Mckellen - Actor and former student at St. Catherine's College.

In an interview, Ian talks about life in Cambridge during the 1950's: “I didn’t identify one other gay man at St Catharine’s…. we all came out after Cambridge. There were no places you could go… no clubs, societies, no debates about it.”

Now, reports like Out at Cambridge show that the majority feel that they are comfortable sharing and expressing their identity at the University. While still cautioning that there is a lot of work to be done at Cambridge and other institutions, the report highlights how even small gestures like sharing pronouns in email signatures and the presence of flags in buildings and colleges.

How migh unearthing the stories of LGBTQ+ help?

18/06/2024

📣 Weekly tours post 📣

It's a busy week for us!

📆 June 21st - Join us for our monthly tour and discussion of the Whipple on our Uncomfortable Science tour. Navigate the fascinating displays of the Whipple Museum for the History of Science with our critical tour that delves deep into the complex themes that have shaped the course of scientific discovery. This tour offers visitors a unique perspective on the history of science, encouraging reflection on the societal and ethical dimensions that often remain hidden beneath scientific discourse.

📆 June 22nd - Our usual original tour is SOLD OUT for the weekend. If you're still wanting to come out and take a tour with us on Saturday, consider signing up for our Fundraising tour! We're taking sliding donations to support legal aid for refugees as a part of Refugee week. Check out the poster on the next slide for more info!

📍Link in Bio to Book!

16/06/2024

We're going to be at Cambridge Refugee Week!

Check out the full details of events and talks during the week from the organizers: Come join us for a day filled with creativity and joy at the Alison Richard Building! Families welcome.

Our Cambridge Refugee Week event will showcase the talents and stories of and about refugees through various art forms. From music to art exhibitions and cultural displays, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Bring your family and friends along to celebrate diversity and unity in our community. Let's come together to appreciate the rich tapestry of cultures that make Cambridge a vibrant and welcoming place for all.

On the agenda are Amor Mundi (opera & meet the performers), Islamic Geometry Workshop, Eritrean Clay workshop, Afghan music and poetry as well as various arts stalls. And yummy Syrian food. All ages welcome.

Further information here: https://shorturl.at/o2pWN

Or on our website: https://www.humanmovement.cam.ac.uk/

🔎 Can you spot our photo? 🔎

12/06/2024

Weekly tours update ✨

We hope you have been having a good start to June and pride month. Join us on our two tours running this week -- both featuring LGBTQIA + histories and stories in Cambridge. 🌈

📆 Join us on our Academics and Empire tour exploring the historic connections between Cambridge and the British Empire. This tour outlines local entanglements with the transatlantic slave trade, and takes a close look at controversies surrounding museum collections and the development of certain academic disciplines over time.

📆 As always, we're running our Original Tour! The perfect introductory tour of Cambridge, this tour engages with local historical memory and highlights diverse stories in the beautiful city centre.

09/06/2024

📣 Fundraising tour announcement 📣

We're back again with . Join us on Saturday, June 22nd at 4 pm on a fundraising tour for refugees.

📍Click the link in our bio to book! This tour is donation based with funds going towards providing legal aid and counseling to refugees and asylum seekers.

07/06/2024

🎉🎊 We just had our annual work party for Uncomfortable Cambridge 🎉🎊

We mingled, laughed, commiserated, and celebrated with our wonderful directors and new guides!

As we reflect on our time in Cambridge so far, what impact has our tours had on you? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below 💞

03/06/2024

🌊🌊 weekly tour update 🌊🌊

Join us this weekend and take our Original Uncomfortable Cambridge tour! Our tours provide newcomers with a good introduction to the city while going beyond the traditional narratives. We highlight histories of race, gender, class, and disability, while raising uncomfortable questions about the lasting legacies of empire.​ All our guides are university researchers who are passionate about the city, its people, and its diverse history.

📍Join us on one of our tours this Saturday or Sunday by booking through the link in our bio!

31/05/2024

Did you know that Agnes Arber, a renowned botanist from the early 1900's recently had a PhD prize dedicated to her?

Arber, the first woman botanist to be elected a fellow of the Royal Society, has not only had a prize named after her, but a Blue Plaque dedicated to her at her Huntingdon home where she worked out of her own lab.

You can read more about Arber in this recent BBC article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c722edzkz2eo?utm_campaign=collegiate&utm_medium=email&utm_source=1724464_Daily+News+Briefing+-+29%2F05%2F24&dm_i=6DCE%2C10YLS%2C4TWKBB%2C4N7Z7%2C1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3k4TD-pYnu8reox0inT-KirFj848h8DD2aFBaFwHktF-X_50BpOE_1aKg_aem_AbXzodjsrznGY46PzIhv8VPxo1F2tpxCVD2oehKZ1u7aIfTKUUKOSteEOxyrCUfuRwcOprAYVa3JrFWs4BdR8u5H

If you're interested in learning more about the impact women have had on Cambridge, check out our Original and Hidden Histories tours running this weekend!

🎋 Book through the link in our bio.

30/05/2024

Just in case you missed it -- We’re excited to announce we’re open to summer bookings and collaborations — especially with summer schools!

Our tours can integrate seamlessly into the summer course curriculum, offering a thought-provoking after-hours activity that promises to stimulate and captivate your students. Immerse them in the cultural and historical fabric of Cambridge by incorporating our tours [], turning their educational journey into a thoughtful learning experience.

To recap our tours are:

✔ Locally rooted

✔ Socially conscious

✔ Engaging and educational

✔ Academic led

Check out our website to book today!

29/05/2024

🏛 Weekly Tours reminder 🏛

Check out our tour schedule for this upcoming weekend!

📅 June 1st: Our Original Uncomfortable Cambridge tour! The perfect introductory tour of Cambridge, covering its main sites and complex history.

📅 June 2nd: We're running our Hidden Histories tour THIS SUNDAY. Don't miss out on a chance to learn more about the diverse heritage of the city and university.

📍 Book a tour now with the link in our bio

23/05/2024

Some recent feedback on our Original Tour:

🌟 Thought provoking

🌟 Inspiring

🌟 Uncomfortable

Check out our Original tour this weekend to walk + discuss history a little differently.

📍Link in bio.

20/05/2024

🎋 Weekly tours announcement 🎋

We hope you're enjoying the warmer weather! Join us for a tour this weekend to learn a little more about Cambridge and get out in the sun!

📅 May 24th - Join us for a tour of the . This tour offers visitors a unique perspective on the history of science, encouraging reflection on the societal and ethical dimensions that often remain hidden beneath scientific discourse.

📅 May 25th - Our tours provide newcomers with a good introduction to the city while going beyond the traditional narratives. We highlight histories of race, gender, class, and disability, while raising uncomfortable questions about the lasting legacies of empire.​

📍 Book now with the link in our bio!

18/05/2024

Happy International Museum Day!

We'd like to take a moment to say thank you to the two museums who are part of and host stops on our tour!

🪐 which hosts our Uncomfortable Science tour offers an interesting perspective into the history of science at Cambridge and beyond!

🏛 represents our Academics and Empire tour on the last two stops! Through their museum, we are able to talk about the implications of museum collecting, repatriation, and the fields of archeology and anthropology.

We'd also like to give a shout out to the Museum of Cambridge () where you can find lots of exhibitions and material on local history outside of the University.

17/05/2024

☀😎🌊 Looking for summer plans? ☀😎🌊

We’re excited to announce we’re open to summer bookings and collaborations — especially with summer schools!

Our tours can integrate seamlessly into the summer course curriculum, offering a thought-provoking after-hours activity that promises to stimulate and captivate your students. Immerse them in the cultural and historical fabric of Cambridge by incorporating our tours, turning their educational journey into a thoughtful learning experience.

To recap our tours are:

✔ Locally rooted

✔ Socially conscious

✔ Engaging and educational

✔ Academic led

Check out our website to book today!

15/05/2024

Statement on the Palestine solidarity encampments led by university students

We stand in solidarity with the protests and encampments at universities across the world that are calling attention to the horrific violence being perpetuated in Gaza, and we support calls to divest from sources of capital that profit from this conflict.

Universities are both paramount institutions of knowledge production and key hosts for open discussion and critical debate. They have historically been sites of activism and advocacy in support of fundamental rights and freedoms for all.

These encampments overwhelmingly seek to carry a message of peaceful resistance, despite the violence that students of all faiths and backgrounds are being met with as they come together in solidarity for peace and safety for all. The media’s portrayal of these protests distracts the attention from the students’ demands: that universities must stop turning a blind eye to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.

It is essential that the freedom to discuss, to protest, and to express opposition to injustice is both encouraged and supported through post-secondary institutions. We urge universities to engage in constructive dialogue with students. And we encourage local communities to support their efforts in any way they can.

14/05/2024

🖊 New blog post 🖊

Check out this new post written by one of our very own guides, Giorgia, on Kettle's Yard new exhibition.

In the review, Giorgia writes: “Issam Kourbaj: Urgent Archive” is a powerful exhibition that engages the viewer in a dialogue about strongly human themes like loss, memory, war, and destruction. The artist stands against the destruction of cultural heritage in Syria and protects it by creating memories, and by recording the lives of people and places that have been lost. This position, and his appeal to stop destroying, is clearly perceptible in the space."

Check out the full post to hear more reflections on this important (and ongoing) exhibition and archive.

🖊 https://www.uncomfortableoxford.com/issam-kourbajs-urgent-archive-exhibition-review

13/05/2024

⭐ Weekly tour announcement ⭐

Not 1, not 2, but 3 tours running this weekend!

1️⃣ On Thursday the 16th, come with us on our Original tour to support the charity which provides legal aid to asylum seekers and refugees.

2️⃣ Sat the 18th, we're running our usual weekend original tour! It is the perfect introduction to Cambridge's entangled history in elitism, colonialism, and local histories of inequality.

3️⃣ Sun the 19th, your one and only chance to take our Academics and Empire tour this month! This tour outlines local entanglements with the transatlantic slave trade, and takes a close look at controversies surrounding museum collections and the development of certain academic disciplines over time.

⭐ Book now through the link in our bio! ⭐

08/05/2024

🗣 Charity tour announcement 🗣

Join us on a special Original Uncomfortable Tour on May 16th to raise funds for SolidariTee -- a charity dedicated to raising funds to provide legal aid to refugees and asylum seekers. Their work is critical now as the government moves forward with hostile policies to asylum seekers, like the recently passed Rwanda bill. This tour coincides with the conference: Debordering futures: racial capitalism, coloniality and migrant justice at the University of Cambridge.

To book, check out our website!